IPL 2020: Emerging Player of the Year winners- where they are now?

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant are some of the high-profile names to have won this emerging player of the year award in IPL. 

The Indian Premier League has its own way of rewarding performers every season. While the ‘Orange’ cap and the ‘Purple’ cap are restricted to the best batsman and best bowler respectively, the ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ award is given away to the breakthrough performer of the season.

As of 2019, the IPL stated that players had to fulfill the below criteria to be in contention for the award. However, it may not be the same for IPL 2020.

• Should be born on or after 1 April 1993
• Must have played five or fewer Test matches or 20 or less ODIs.
• Should have played 25 or fewer IPL matches (at of the start of the season)
• Should not have won the Emerging Player award in the past

In a way, this award is synonymous with IPL’s objective to help budding cricketers meet a massive platform to showcase their skills. Honouring youngsters who do well against world-class opponents is a good way of identifying future cricketing talents.

The last 12 editions have seen some skillful cricketers win this prestigious award- most of whom have gone on to replicate their success at the international level. So, here’s a consolidated list of all the Emerging player of year winners from IPL 2008 till IPL 2019. We also have a look at how they are placed currently in the cricketing world.

2008 – Shreevats Goswami (RCB) 

Shreevats Goswami beat the likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Manish Pandey to win the Emerging Player of the Year award in the inaugural season of IPL. The Bengal wicket-keeper scored 82 runs at an average of 27.33 from four games for RCB in that season. Goswami also impressed behind the stumps, executing four dismissals for his team.

Where’s Shreevats Goswami now? 

Currently, Goswami represents Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, and is a consistent part of the Bengal Ranji Team.

2009 – Rohit Sharma (DC- Deccan Chargers) 

Rohit was part of the strong Deccan Chargers squad which won the trophy in 2009. He struck 362 runs from 16 matches at an impressive average of 27.84. He was one of the main reasons for the Hyderabad-based outfit to win the trophy after a disastrous first season.

Where’s Rohit Sharma now? 

An IPL legend with 5 IPL titles, Rohit Sharma doesn’t need any introduction on his current stance in the cricketing universe. Rohit Sharma would want to break MI’s record of winning the trophies every alternate year as he helps MI defend the title in IPL 2020. 

2010 – Saurabh Tiwary (MI) 

From the elite U19 squad that won the World Cup in 2008, Jharkand batsman Saurabh Tiwary impressed everyone with his fine batting skills in 2010. Saurabh took on almost every bowler in the tournament, as he racked up 419 runs from 16 games at a decent strike rate of 135.59. He was also one of the major pillars of Mumbai Indians’ middle-order that season.

Where’s Saurabh Tiwari now? 

Recently, Mumbai Indians purchased Saurabh Tiwari for the IPL 2020, where he will look to get his career back on track.

2011 – Iqbal Abdulla (KKR) 

Kolkata Knight Riders reached their first play-off in this edition, courtesy the brilliant performances of their bowlers. At the center of it was young left-hand off-spinner, Iqbal Abdulla. He scalped 16 wickets from 15 games that season, and went on to win the ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ 2011.

Where’s Iqbal Abdulla now? 

Iqbal has left Mumbai in search of opportunities, and is currently playing in the Plate division of the Ranji Trophy.

2012 – Mandeep Singh (KXIP) 

At the top of the order, Mandeep Singh was a revelation for KXIP in 2012, as he scored 432 runs at a strike rate of 126. He was the perfect foil for Adam Gilchrist, with whom he forged a fantastic opening-partnership for the Mohali-based franchise.

Where’s Mandeep Singh now? 

Captain of the Punjab Cricket team, Mandeep is still active in domestic cricket. The 28-year-old also has an active IPL 2020 contract with KXIP, and is a potential finisher for them.

2013 – Sanju Samson (RR) 

In his first-ever IPL season, Sanju Samson impressed all with his amazing strokeplay and sheer ability to time the ball. Including his debut knock of 63 runs, Sanju scored 206 runs in 2013, and ended up as the best youngster to feature that season.

Where’s Sanju Samson now? 

A consistent part of the India A squads, Sanju is currently fighting for a spot in Team India’s T20I squad.

2014 – Axar Patel (KXIP) 

Axar Patel is the only all-rounder to have ever won this award. In what was KXIP’s best season in their history, Axar picked up 17 wickets from 17 games at an economy of 6.13 and helped the team reach the finals. The Gujarat cricketer also scored 62 runs that season.

Where’s Axar Patel now? 

Part of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2020, Axar Patel will have a mountain to climb if he has to make a comeback to the Indian team. Although, he has been a consistent member of the India A team. 

2015 – Shreyas Iyer (DC- Delhi Capitals) 

Coming with a lot of promise, Shreyas Iyer was expected to do well for the Delhi team in 2015. The Mumbai batsman fulfilled the expectations scoring 439 runs from 14 games at an average of 33.76. However, even this did not help the franchise, as Delhi yet again finished in the bottom half of the tournament.

Where’s Shreyas Iyer now? 

Shreyas Iyer is regarded as the solution to India’s No.4 issue, as the right-hander has been in good form lately for India scoring consistently in ODIs and T20Is. 

2016 – Mustafizur Rahman (SRH) 

Mustafizur is the first and the only foreigner to have won this trophy. He picked up 17 wickets from 16 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, as he led his franchise to its first IPL trophy. Also known as ‘The Fizz’, the Bangladeshi impressed everyone with his bowling at the death.

Where’s Mustafizur Rahman now? 

Owing to the recent dip in form, the left-arm seamer will not feature in IPL 2020. In hindsight though, he will be crucial to Bangladesh’s plans for the World T20 later this year.

2017 – Basil Thampi (GL- Gujarat Lions) 

With his quick action and pinpoint yorkers, Basil Thampi was a find for Gujarat Lions in 2017. The Kerala seamer picked up 11 wickets from 12 games, as he rattled the opposition with his exquisite ability to deliver yorkers consistently.

Where’s Basil Thampi now? 

Although playing for India again could be a far-fetched dream for the youngster, Basil will look to do good for SRH in the upcoming season if he doesn’t warm the bench. 

2018 – Rishabh Pant (DC- Delhi Capitals) 

Probably the best of the emerging player of the lot, Rishabh Pant set new standards for this trophy in 2018, as he aggregated a humongous 684 runs at an average of 52.61 for Delhi. Moreover, his strike-rate of 173.6 helped him finish as one of the most dangerous batsmen of that season.

Where’s Rishabh Pant now? 

Rishabh Pant is one of the only 5 players to represent Team India in all the formats currently. However, his form hasn’t allowed him to be a regular member of the playing 11. He would need a strong IPL 2020 to get back to form before the all-important T20 World Cup 2020. 

2019 – Shubman Gill (KKR)

Regarded as the future superstar, Shubman Gill performed well in IPL 2019 as he scored 296 runs from 14 games at an average of 32.88. He impressed with his ability to construct innings, and win matches for his team. He was one of the only bright spots in KKR’s top-order in 2019.

Where’s Shubman Gill now? 

After his consistent performances for India A, Shubman Gill is currently a member of Team India’s Test squad. He would be eying another successful IPL as a T20I selection is the least he can expect. 

Thanks for reading! Who do you think would win the emerging player of the year award in IPL 2020? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

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